3rd Sunday of Easter - C, 5th May 2019

JOY COMES WITH DAWN

Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

The disciples of Jesus went through the blackest of nights on the Sea of Tiberias. They were weighed down by grief and shock at the death of Jesus, and guilt for denying him in the case of Peter. And they caught no fish. But joy came with the dawn when the risen Christ appeared to them. They caught many fish, shared a meal with him and Peter experienced forgiveness.

Today’s Gospel tells the post-Resurrection story of our merciful Savior who goes in search of His band of disappointed and dejected disciples. The incident proves that Jesus’ appearances were not mere hallucinations. The Gospel used two metaphors namely fishing and shepherding. These are the duties of the Church in her missionary work. Peter, as a forgiven sinner, is chosen for the quality of his love to serve as leader in a community of brothers and sisters. As his primary mission, Peter is given the care of the vulnerable lambs and sheep, and he is told that fidelity to this mission will lead him to martyrdom.

We need to open our eyes, ears and hearts wide to see, hear, and experience the Risen Lord coming into our lives in various forms, circumstances and events. He bring us nourishments, forgiveness and light.